KS4 Information BookletGCSE course details for

Year 10 students and parents2013-2014

INTRODUCTION

At the beginning of Year 10, GCSE examinations still seem a long way off, but it is important to treatthem seriously right from the start if you wish to achieve the best result you are capable of and avoid astressful Year 11!

This booklet offers some general advice and more specific information about each of the subjects youwill be taking.

Please keep this booklet safe so that you can refer to it throughout the course, but remember also thatyou can always discuss queries or problems with your Subject Teacher, Form Tutor or your Key StageManager. We can’t do the work for you, but we may be able to help you to organise yourself or justreassure you!

DO:

ü Work hard at your subjects right from the start, ensuring that you always meet deadlines. You willnot be asked to do anything that is not relevant or helpful to your ultimate success.

ü Organise your folders/files/exercise books. If your ring binder “explodes”, return the contents inthe right order as soon as possible. Take care of textbooks; in school, keep them in your locker.

ü Use your planner to schedule homework so that you avoid last minute panic or missing deadlinesand to remind you what books and equipment you need each day.

ü Pay careful attention to instructions about how coursework and controlled assessments are to beapproached, as this varies from subject to subject. If you are given a long time for an assignment, youshould assume that this is because you will need the time to complete it effectively, so get on with itstraight away! Please check the Parental Assessment Schedule (websites) for details of all yourcontrolled assessments / coursework deadlines.

ü Make sure that you catch up on work if you are absent. It is your responsibility to find out whatneeds to be done by asking other pupils or your subject teacher.

ü Keep following your other interests and activities such as sport, music, drama. This will help youto keep your school work in perspective and refresh you.

ü Remember that you can only do your best, but that if you try your hardest, you can be proud ofeverything you achieve.

DON’T:

§ Expect to do less than 2 hours homework a night for most of the term.

§ Expect to be able to go out every night of the week and keep up with the work.

§ Ignore deadlines: yours teachers will give you sufficient time to complete the task at the best pointin the course for you to achieve success.

§ Compare what you are doing with pupils from other schools. There are several differentexamination boards offering various syllabuses, so you may be following a different course.

§ Avoid taking up new enrichment activities in school, or drop existing ones. These are intended toenrich your education. Many of the most successful pupils manage their time effectively to continue toplay a full part in school life.

§ Panic!

Good luck!

IMPORTANT DATES:

· Year 10 Parents’ Evening – Monday, 24th February 2014 between 4.00pm – 6.30pm

· Report/Grade Cards

· Friday, 18th October 2013 – Grade Card 1

· Monday, 20th January 2014 – Grade Card 2

· Friday, 4th April 2014 – Grade Card 3

· Tuesday, 8th July 2014 – Report including Grade Card 4

GCSE ART AND DESIGN

GCSE Art and Design comprises of the following:

Assessment 1 (Candidate Portfolio)

This is internally set and has a weighting of 60%. Studentsare asked to demonstrate their ability to undertake workthrough a broad course. The Candidate Portfolio starts inYear 10 and continues to Year 11. The portfolio is reviewedthroughout the course.

Assessment 2 (Externally Set Task)

This is internally and externally moderated, and has a weighting of 40%. The externally set task startsin Year 11, Term 5 and continues into the first half of Term 6. The task has a centre-devised period of preparatory study, plus a 10 hour examinationperiod.

The girls’ sketchbook contains information about the set projects and the GCSE Assessment details. Thedepartment would ask you to, please look in your daughter’s sketchbook each week to monitor herprogress.

The Art Department has an extensive range of materials; however, these cannot be taken home so itwould be advantageous for your daughter to have some equipment of her own, e.g. paints, pastels andpaint brushes. Although we have digital camera equipment in the department, access and the use of acamera at home is a tremendous help for pupils to record their ideas and to build up a bank of primarysources.

GCSE Art homework not only involves sketchbook work but also written and visual research, findingimages and collecting primary and secondary sources and visiting and reviewing appropriate artexhibitions.

GCSE BUSINESS STUDIES

Recession, Interest Rates, Marketing, Global Economy, Entrepreneurs, Double Dip – all words andphrases that may or may not sound familiar –

but will affect you in the future!

GCSE Business Studies is an interesting and relevant course concentrating on the understanding of howbusinesses are organised and how they are influenced by local, national and international pressures.

Subject Content:● External environment and business – economics and politics.● Enterprise and the role of the entrepreneur.● The ownership and control of business – from the smallest to the biggest!● Business planning – setting and using aims and objectives.● The management of people within a business - leadership and motivation.● Marketing – influencing the consumers.● Finance and accounts – working with the numbers.● Production – how goods and services are made.

What skills are being developed and examined?Business Studies requires logical, analytical thinking. Being able to evaluate cause and effect isimportant. The world of business is constantly changing, and events reported in the news will have animpact on business. Keeping up to date and with current business affairs is important so that you canapply your knowledge to the business world. How will you do this? By taking part in discussions, debatesand presentations; analysing case studies and studying newspaper articles. The emphasis will be on theapplication of the subject to the real world, and the development of a range of life skills. Skills that willbe useful in any career path that you may choose.

What you can expect to see in class-work and homework?Homework may be case study work or research projects into various aspects of today’s business world.Class work will include case studies and various individual and group activities. Everything is designed tobuild up your knowledge, skills and examination technique; but most importantly you’re ENJOYMENT ofBusiness Studies.

Final examination:Course Details: GCSE Business Studies, AQA SyllabusAssessment● Paper 1 Structured questions based on a case study of a small business organization and the issues

that it might face – 40 % of the total mark● Paper 2 Structured questions set on large businesses – 35 % of the total mark.● Controlled Assessment is a class based research project on a small business – 25 % of the final grade.

Progression beyond GCSE:

This course is an important, but not essential, foundation for the study of Business Studies or Economicsat A-Level. Many students will go on to study Business or one of its many disciplines at university.All students are influenced by businesses today and will be tomorrow. Many will go on to be theentrepreneurs and managers of the future.

Prepare for your future with GCSE Business Studies ……

….. a subject that is happening now

CITIZENSHIP GCSE

As a compulsory National Curriculum subject, Citizenship is designed to help your daughter develop herknowledge and understanding of the world around her. We aim to develop political literacy and a senseof global community via practical activities and challenging classroom lessons.

In Y9 all girls started the GCSE Citizenship course. This will be completed in Y10.

Course outline – EDEXCEL Citizenship GCSE

ExamsAcross Y9 we followed the syllabus for the Unit 1 exam, which all students will sit in the summer of Y10.This is worth 20% of the final GCSE. We looked at the three main themes of:

· Rights and responsibilities· Power, politics and the media· The global village

Pupils were regularly assessed, using past GCSE questions and all girls have a target grade for the GCSE,which you will have seen on their Y9 report cards. All girls will be expected to achieve this grade as aminimum, and interventions will be put in place for those in danger of not meeting this target.

The second exam is a more in-depth study of a topic, and is also worth 20% of the final GCSE. The optionall girls will study is Changing communities: Social and cultural identities.This exam will also take place in the summer of Y10.

In order to help your daughter, please ensure that she is aware news and current affairs, and discussthese topics with her. As a department we try to respond to world affairs, and include contemporaryevents in lessons, therefore a good knowledge of the news is a definite benefit.

Controlled AssessmentThere are two Controlled Assessments to be completed in Y10. They will be based on practical activitiesundertaken as a group during school time. The activity will be a citizenship action or campaign that isseen to be helpful to the community, and will be written up as a report under controlled conditions.Pupils will be asked to assess the impact of their activity, and evaluate how well they met their aims.Each Controlled Assessment is worth 30% of the final grade, therefore it is extremely important for allpupils to ensure that they work hard and keep detailed notes throughout the activities.This year we are being supported in delivering the GCSE by the ICT department, so that in core ICT girlswill have the opportunity to work on practical elements of their Controlled Assessment, whilstdeveloping their ICT skills.

Year 11In year 11 we will follow a course of lessons in PSHE and careers education, aimed at helping yourdaughter as she makes important decisions relating to her life and career. We will revisit the topics ofDrugs, Alcohol & Tobacco, as well as Sex and Relationship education and look at how to avoid riskysituations and stay safe.

GCSE DRAMA

GCSE Drama allows students to explore and understand the society in whichthey live, through a variety of acquired drama skills.

As well as training students in the necessary disciplines and mediums ofDrama, it enables students to become creative thinkers, independentenquirers,self-managers, team workers, reflective learners and effective participators.

Studying GCSE Drama will enable students to further develop skills incommunication, evaluation, team work, creativity, confidence, analytical thinking and self expression.

Year 10 is concerned with developing the necessary drama skills required for Units 1, 2 and 3. The yearis divided into projects, each lasting approximately 6 weeks. These projects will be based around teamwork, individual work, scripted text, improvisation and devising, styles of performance, mask work andtheatre practitioners.

Year 11 takes the form of the following:

Unit Title Description

1 Drama Coursework (30%)

Drama Exploration

Teacher assessed practical work support-ed by a portfolio of documentary evi-dence.

In Unit 1 students will use stimulus material and a range of drama activi-ties to explore a series of related topics, themes and issues.

Controlled Assessment: is through a series of practical drama work-shops supported by written documentary evidence of the process (max-imum 2000 words).

Deadline: Friday, 13th December 2013

2 Drama Coursework (30%)

Exploring Play Texts

Teacher assessed practical work support-ed by a portfolio of documentary evi-dence.

In Unit 2 students will explore the action, characters, ideas, themes andissues of a published play through a range of drama activities. They willalso experience a live theatre performance on which they will have towrite a review.

Controlled Assessment: is through a series of practical drama work-shops supported by written documentary evidence of the process (max-imum of 1000 words) and through a written response to live theatre(maximum 2000 words).

Deadline: Friday, 13th December 2013

3 Drama Performance (40%)

Externally assessed practical examinationof either a devised or scripted perform-ance.

In Unit 3 students will work in groups to produce either a devised or ascripted performance for a live audience.

Controlled Assessment: through a performance to a visiting examiner

Performance: April/May 2014 (TBA)

GCSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACCELERATED ENTRY

iGCSE Syllabus 0522

Sets 1 and 2

Students will take the GCSE English Language examination and related coursework components in Year10 as part of the accelerated entry programme. This enables students to concentrate on just one subjectin the first year of KS4 thus enabling sole focus on AQA GCSE English Literature in Year 11.

The course will be assessed through one examination component and two coursework components:

EXAMINATION

COMPONENT 2: Reading Passages (40% of final grade)

Candidates answer three questions on two passages of 600–700 words each, linked by a common theme.

COURSEWORK

COMPONENT 4: Coursework Portfolio (40% of final grade)

Candidates submit three assignments, each of 500–800 words.

• Assignment 1: informative, analytical and/or argumentative.• Assignment 2: imaginative, descriptive and/or narrative.• Assignment 3: a response to a text or texts (Lord of the Flies)

COMPONENT 6: Speaking and Listening coursework (20% of final grade)

Candidates produce 3 separate pieces including: an individual activity, a pair-based activity and a groupactivity. Each piece will be linked to what is being studied in class.

AQA Specification A

Sets 3-5

Students will take the GCSE English Language examination and related Controlled Assessments in Year10 as part of the accelerated entry programme. This enables students to concentrate on just one subjectin the first year of KS4 thus enabling sole focus on GCSE English Literature in Year 11.

The course will be assessed through one examination unit and two controlled assessment units.

EXAMINATION

UNIT 1: Understanding and Producing Non-fiction texts (60% of total marks)

SECTION A: Four to six questions as a reading response to non-fiction/ media texts.

SECTION B: Two compulsory writing tasks on the writing triplets.

CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT

UNIT 2: Speaking and Listening (from June 2014 this unit is certificated separately and does notcontribute to the final GCSE grade)Three tasks focusing on students’ ability in the following:· Presenting· Discussing and Learning· Role playing

UNIT 3: Understanding Spoken and Written Texts and Writing Creatively (40% of total marks)

SECTION A: An extended study of one literary text including Shakespeare, texts from the LiteraryHeritage and other cultures.

SECTION B: Two written tasks, choosing from topics of Moving Image, Commissions and Recreations.

SECTION C: A study of Spoken Language.

GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE

AQA Specification A

Students will study English Literature from the end of Year 10 and throughout Year 11.

The course will be assessed through two examination units and one controlled assessment unit.

EXAMINATION

UNIT 1: Exploring Modern Texts (40% of total marks) (to be taken in June 2014)

SECTION A: A study of a novel, short story or play from the 20th Century.

SECTION B: One question on a novel or play from another culture.

UNIT 2: Poetry across Time (35% of total marks) (to be taken in June 2014)

SECTION A: One question based on a cluster of poems from the Anthology.

SECTION B: A written response to an unseen poem.

CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT

UNIT 3: The Significance of Shakespeare and the English Literary Heritage (25% of total marks)

This will be one task which asks students to make links between a play from Shakespeare and any other text from the English Literary Heritage.

GCSE FRENCH AND SPANISH

The GCSE course in both French and Spanish builds on what you have already learnt at KS3. The topicswhich you will cover relate to yourself and the area in which you live and include the following: lifestyle;work & education; leisure; home & environment.

We will be following the new specification of the AQA GCSE examination which has some differencesfrom the specification which we have used in the past. Unlike KS3, where all four skills, i.e. listening,speaking, reading and writing, are equally important, at GCSE the receptive skills (listening and reading)are worth 20% each of the total marks and productive skills (speaking and writing) are worth 30% each.Speaking assessment is now modular and the writing, which is also modular, is completed undercontrolled conditions and marked by AQA.

Assessments

Year 10 Major language – Spanish GCSE (Year 1) – Sets 3, 4 and 5

Week beginning 7th October - Listening and Reading

Week beginning 2nd December - Speaking

Week beginning 3rd February - Listening and Reading

Week beginning 17th March - Listening and Reading Mock

Week beginning 19th May - GCSE Controlled Assessment Speaking and Writing

Week beginning 9th June - Listening and Reading

Year 10 Major language – Spanish GCSE (Year 2)– Sets 1 and 2

Week beginning 30th September - Listening and Reading

Week beginning 2nd December - GCSE Controlled Assessment Speaking and Writing

Week beginning 9th December - Listening and Reading Mocks

Week beginning 10th February - GCSE Controlled Assessment Speaking and Writing

Year 10 Minor language – French – Sets 1-3

As students have just one lesson of French per week, just one listening and reading assessment will take

place the week beginning 3th February.Once French examinations are over in May/June, we will commence the GCSE French course and all MFLlessons for sets 1-2 will be devoted to French.

Lessons will be largely in the target language and will cover the necessary vocabulary and grammaticalcontent in the context of the topic areas. Listening and reading activities will introduce new topics whichwill then form the content of speaking and writing assignments.

You will be required to learn vocabulary on a regular basis and to familiarise yourself with the rules ofgrammar. You will be expected to complete assignment tasks for homework which will involve accessto the Internet and you will need to work independently as well as in class to hone your speaking,writing and comprehension skills. You will continue to work with the French Assistant who will help youto prepare for the speaking section of the examination which will be conducted by your teacherthroughout the course.

Written work will take the form of postcards, letters, accounts or articles. You will be required to displaya knowledge of how to use a range of tenses and need to give and justify opinions. You will continue tostudy the structure and grammar of the language in order to write accurately and with some flair.

Lessons will be varied with plenty of interactive work using ICT. You will be encouraged to back up yourexamination preparation in your personal area on the computer and will have access to a range ofsupplementary and support materials on the Academy Intranet and on the Internet.

You will be offered support in enrichment time if you are experiencing difficulties in any area of yourMFL studies.

We are sure that you will agree that in the 21st Century GCSE qualifications in Modern ForeignLanguages are highly desirable and advantageous in the world of work. To be able to offer a choice ofMFL adds to the advantage and facilitates the learning of further languages in the future.

FOOD TECHNOLOGY

AQA - HOME ECONOMICS (FOOD AND NUTRITION) - 4585

This AQA course will be suitable for all those who love cooking and are interested in healthy living. Itbuilds on the work covered in Years 8 and 9 with the emphasis on practical cookery skills, foodpreparation, diet, food safety and hygiene. Each week you will have the opportunity to cook, experimentand taste foods.

There are 5 core areas of study:

v Nutrition, diet and health throughout life.v Effects of food preparation, cooking and storage on foods.v Food choice and practical skillsv Consumer issuesv Food hygiene and safety

This course will have an element of practical work each week. This may take the form of cooking, tasting,experimental work or investigations. Each task will have supporting written work in the form ofresearch, notes, questions and surveys.

ASSESSMENT

A written paper which has short answer and structured free response questions.This paper is worth 40% of the total marks

A board set controlled assessment worth 15% marks to be done at the end of year 10A board set Individual Investigation worth 45% to be completed during the first half of year 11.These tasks are completed in school time under supervision within the classroom.They build on the skills of research, analysis, investigation, practical work, organisation and evaluation.

There is a final GCSE written exam in May or June of year 11

GCSE GEOGRAPHY

Welcome to the OCR B Geography Course at The Belvedere Academy!

In lessons students study different geographical themes and issues relating to the following four topics:

· Rivers and Coasts· Population and Settlement· Natural Hazards· Economic Development

Very good progress can be made by everyone if you follow these guidelines:

· Always keep up to date with your homework and make sure it is handed in on time· Take the initiative in your own learning by researching topics outside lesson time using the internet,

library books and other resources·

Make sure you always have essential items with you such as pens, pencils, rubber, calculator, ruler,textbook, planner

· Avoid absences· Make sure you are punctual to every lesson· Read a newspaper or see the news on television or the internet

regularly so that you are up to date with current affairs· Revise new information after each lesson so you are ready to use it in

subsequent lessons· Discuss geographical issues or current affairs with your friends and family

so you are aware of different attitudes and values· Make your own glossary of geographical terms learned during the course.

There is a “Controlled Assessment” which replaces traditional coursework. This Controlled Assessmentwill be completed in school time under the supervision of a teacher and is worth 25% of the final GCSEmark. Very good Controlled Assessment marks can be obtained by everyone if you follow theseguidelines:

· Keep up to date with short-term deadlines· Conduct your own research into topics as directed by your teacher· Use your initiative to develop your work in a personal way· Look back over your work ahead of Controlled Assessment lessons, so you maximise your use of

supervised time

We look forward to teaching you!The Geography Team

GCSE GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION

Exam Board: WJEC Linear

Key Exam Dates:

Portfolio completed by December 2014Start externally set task preparation January 2015Controlled test April 2015

How the course is assessed:

60% of Marks for portfolio40% for externally set task.

Description of the CourseDesign Graphics is about studentsdesigning and producing designs byexamining, questioning andexperimenting with ideas relating to theirlifestyle and the environment aroundthem. They have to think about thepracticalities of their design and itscommercial viability. This prepares themfor our rapidly changing technologicalworld and for working for and with clients.

This course allows you to explore wordsand images, which are part of our everydaylives.You will look at advertising and publicity;you will design packaging and considercorporate identity. You will design logosand develop your ideas using ICT. You willbe taught about the use of photography,develop your skills in illustration andanimation.

Links with other subjectsMedia studies, ICT, Textiles, Art &Design, Product Design.

Possible Careers

Graphic Designer, Web Designer, TVGraphics, Animation Design, ProductDesign, Advertising Designer,Creative Director, Art Director, 3DDesign, Film Production,  InteriorDesign, Freelance Design, PackagingDesign, Digital Design, Architect,Crafts person - ceramics or productdesigner, Illustrator, Gallery orMuseum Curator, Photographer orArtist.

GCSE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE (Edexcel)

For the GCSE in Health and Social Care you will study two units:● Unit 1 Understanding Personal Development and Relationships

● Unit 2 Exploring Health, Social Care and Early Years Provision

Unit 1 Understanding Personal Development and Relationships

For Unit 1 you will study four key topics:● Human growth and development

● Factors affecting human growth and development

● Effects of relationships on personal growth and development

● The effect of life events on personal development

During this unit, you will study how people grow and develop from birth to old age, in particular, you willlearn about the physical, intellectual, emotional and social aspects of development across the lifespan.

You will also learn about a wide range of factors that can influence an individual’s growth anddevelopment over the lifespan including: physical factors such as biology and genetics; environmentalfactors such as pollution and housing conditions; economic factors such as wealth and income; socialand environmental factors such as the family, employment and unemployment and psychologicalfactors such as stress and mental health problems.

In addition to the above, you will learn about different types of relationships including: familyrelationships, personal and intimate relationships, friendships and working relationships and you willconsider how these relationships can affect our personal growth and development.

Finally, you will learn about how a variety of expected and unexpected life events can influence anindividual’s life and state of wellbeing including: marriage, childbirth, death of a spouse, divorce, seriousillness and redundancy.

You will complete this unit by exploring the different types of services to help support individuals to dealwith such life events.

Assessment for Unit 1

Assessment for Unit 1 is through a 1 hour-15 minute written exam paper which has a total of 70 marks.The paper consists of 15 multiple-choice questions and a series of questions based on case studies andshort scenarios.

Assessment for this unit constitutes 40% of the total marks for the GCSE.

Unit 2 Exploring Health Social Care and Early Years Provision

For unit 2 you will study five key topics:● The range of care needs of major client groups

● How health care, social care and early years services are accessed andthe barriers to access

● How health, social care and early years services are provided

● Workers in health, social care and early years

● Care values which underpin service provider interaction

During unit 2, you will learn about the care needs of different client groups including: infants, children,adolescents, adults and individuals with specific needs. You will also explore the different types ofhealth and social care services available to meet the needs of the different client groups.

You will learn about how people can gain access to the services they need and explore some of thebarriers that might prevent people from gaining access to such services.

In addition to the above, you will learn about the different types of jobs that people who work in healthand social care settings perform and about the standards and rules required for good professionalpractice.

Assessment for Unit 2

Assessment for this unit is through a task set by Edexcel which must be completed under controlledconditions (i.e. supervised in school).

This test will be marked out of a total of 50 marks. The marks for this unitconstitute 60% of the total marks for the GCSE.

For this assessment, you will have the chance to work on your project over anumber of weeks during which time you will have the help, support andguidance of your teacher.

Students who go on to study Health and Social Care subjects at A’ level or university enter a wide varietyof different careers. Some of the most popular career choices include:

Social Worker, Health Visitor, Probation Officer, Nursery Nurse, Adult Nurse, Children’s Nurse,Mental Health Nurse, Midwife, School Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Radiographer,Counsellor, Clinical Psychologist, Paramedic, Health Service Manager, Health Promotion Specialist...

MODERN WORLD HISTORY

AQA LinearRevised Specification for examination 2015

The History Department will be offering AQA GCSE History B specification

● Throughout the course you will have opportunities to study History from a variety ofperspectives, including political, social, economic and cultural which will help you to appreciatethe diversity of the societies studied and the experiences of the people in these societies.

● It will provide you with the opportunity to study the 20th Century in both breadth and depth.

● It will present you with the opportunity to study the history of Britain, Europe and the World in

the 20th Century.

● It will allow you to build upon your Key Stage 3 Studies and help you to develop your historicalskills and prepare you for the study of History at AS and A2 Level.

The Specification includes:

*This mark is made up of 60 marks for content plus 9 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)

Unit 2 : 20th Century Depth Studies

Written Paper- 1 Hour 45 minutes- 69* marks – 37.5%

Unit 3: Historical Enquiry British History

Controlled Assessment- 40 marks – 25%

Unit 1: International Relations: Conflict and Peace in the 20th Century

Written Paper – 1 Hour 45 minutes – 60 marks- 37.5%

Unit 1: International Relations: Conflict and Peace in the 20th Century91451

Provides you with an outline study of the main events of the 20th Century.

You will be required to answer THREE out of SIX questions. Three questions will be on the periodpre-1939 and three questions on the period post-1945.

The three areas the History Department at Belvedere choose include:● Part One - The Origins of the First World War● Part Two - Peacemaking 1918-1919 and the League of Nations● Part Three - Hitler’s foreign policy and the origins of the Second World War

Unit 2: Twentieth Century Depth Studies91452

This unit offers Depth Studies of national or regional issues and developments. There are three sections;A, B and C. Depth study topics at Belvedere are:-

Section A● The roaring 20’s: USA, 1919-1929

Section B● Hitler’s Germany, 1929-1945

Section C● Race Relations in the USA, 1945-1968

Unit 3: Historical Enquiry - British HistoryThis unit will be assessed by means of controlled assessment. Candidates will submit their responses to

two questions on Britain in the 20th Century, prepared under controlled conditions.

Tasks and sources will be set by AQA. Each year a two-part Historical Enquiry will be set on each of theoptional topics in this unit. The task and sources will be published each year. Historical Enquiries will bereplaced on an annual basis and will only be available for one assessment opportunity.

One of the options below will be chosen:-● The British People on War● Britain at War● Britain and the aftermath of War● The Changing Role and Status of Women since 1900

Each Historical Enquiry will focus on the evaluation of sources and historical interpretations. Studentswill have a taught element, as well as time to carry out research for the chosen Historical Enquiry. Theymust keep a record of all the sources and websites they use, to assist the teacher in authenticating theirwork. Candidates will record their work in a research diary. This diary will be used when answering theHistorical Enquiry questions in controlled conditions.

ICT at GCSE

Controlled assessment coursework makes up 60% of the GCSE grade so it is important that you do allthe coursework well and that you follow instructions. The good part about having so much courseworkis that you can go into the written examination with lots of confidence if you know you have goodcoursework marks.

The content is split into four sections which is assessed in three units: § Current and emerging technologiesStudents will explore the impact of current and emerging technologies. Thistopic explores technology in a variety of contexts that will interest yourstudents; from computer and mobile technologies to communication andentertainment systems.

§ A range of ICT tools and techniquesStudents will explore the ways in which tools and techniques are used todevelop ideas and to solve problems.

§ Collaborative workingCollaborative working is a life skill that students will explore in the context ofICT. Areas covered range from developing an understanding of project management and the advantagesand disadvantages of home working, to technologies that aid collaboration such as video conferencing.

§ Society’s use of ICTStudents will explore legal, social, economic, ethical and environmental implications of the use of ICT.You can apply issues being discussed in the classroom to real world situations that affect individuals,organisations and society. Students can discuss their own personal effects of ICT including the growthof personal websites and social networks.

Unit 1 ‘Systems and Applications in ICT’ comprises 40% of the total GCSE and is assessed by an externalexamination. The questions are broken up into structured questions and students have one choice ofessay question.

Unit’s 2 and 3 are coursework based tasks named ‘Applying ICT’ and ‘Practical Problem Solving in ICT.’These are controlled assessments internally assessed and externally moderated. During the assessmentof Unit 2 a description of a situation will be provided by the exam board each year. Within the givensituation, and working independently, candidates will be asked to solve one or more tasks requiringindependent use of ICT.

The purpose of unit 3 is to ask candidates to solve practical problems which they may meet in education,the community or in the work place. ICT must be used to solve the problem.

Unit 2 assessment will be taken in Year 10 and Unit 3 in Year 11.

KEY STAGE 4 MATHEMATICS

All students will study GCSE Mathematics in Years 10 and 11. The GCSE in Mathematicsis a two tier examination, Foundation and Higher.

Foundation allows grades G to C, Higher allows grades A* to D

A grade C in either tier is considered equal.

Sets 1 & 2 (Higher Tier):AQA Dual Award specification which leads to the award of two GCSEs, Applications of Mathematics inYear 10 and Methods in Mathematics in Year 11. External assessments take place in June each year.All girls will be taught the syllabus for the Higher tier.

Further information: www.aqa.org.uk

Proposedexamination date

Content Assessment Unit Weighting

Unit A1Applications(Finance and Statistics)

June 2014 § Number

§ Financial andbusinessapplications

§ Algebra

§ Statistics

§ 1 written paper

§ 80 marks

§ 1 hour 30 minutes

§ Calculator allowed

50 %

Unit A2Applications(Geometry andMeasures)

June 2014 § Number

§ Measures

§ Algebra

§ Geomerty

§ 1 written paper

§ 80 marks

§ 1 hour 30 minutes

§ Calculator allowed

50 %

Unit M1 Methods(Algebra andProbability)

June 2015 § Number

§ Algebra

§ Probability

§ 2 written papers

§ 40 marks eachpaper

§ One papercalculator allowed

§ One non calculatorpaper

50 %

Unit M2 Methods(Geometry andAlgebra)

June 2015 § Number

§ Algebra

§ Geometry

§ 1 written paper

§ 80 marks

§ 1 hour 30 minutes

§ Calculator allowed

50 %

Sets 3, 4 & 5 (Foundation followed by Higher Tier)

WJEC linear specification, this leads to one full GCSE in Mathematics. Initially they will take the externalassessment in June of Year 10 at Foundation level. If they do not secure a grade C they will repeat theexternal examination at Foundation level in November and June of Year 11. Once they secure a grade Cthey will go on to study the Higher level syllabus in preparation for an external assessment in June ofYear 11.

All candidates are required to sit two written papers

In each paper the assessment will take into account the quality of written communication (includingmathematical communication) used in the answers to specific questions. These questions will be clearlyindicated on each question paper.

Further information: www.wjec.co.uk

Paper 1 (Non-calculator) (50%)Written Paper: Foundation Tier - 1 hours; Higher Tier - 2 hoursFoundation Tier - 100 marks; Higher Tier - 100 marks

The written paper for each tier will comprise a number of short and longer, both structured andunstructured questions which may be set on any part of the subject content of the specification.A number of questions will assess candidates’ understanding of more than one topic from thesubject content.

A calculator will not be allowed in this paper.

Paper 2 (Calculator) (50%)Written Paper: Foundation Tier - 1 hours; Higher Tier - 2 hoursFoundation Tier - 100 marks; Higher Tier - 100 marks

The written paper for each tier will comprise a number of short and longer, both structured andunstructured questions which may be set on any part of the subject content of the specification.A number of questions will assess candidates’ understanding of more than one topic from thesubject content.A calculator will be allowed in this paper.

MEDIA GCSE

AQA Specification

Media Studies is structured so that 50% of the final grade is awarded for coursework and the remaining 50%is for the Controlled Test. Over two years your daughter will be working towards the following:

Coursework

In Year 10 your daughter will complete three pieces of coursework on three different types of media froma range including Film, Television, Newspapers, Magazines, Popular Music and Radio.

Each piece of coursework will reward Knowledge and Understanding (AO1), Research and Presentation(AO2) and Production Skills (AO3).

The best two pieces will be selected for your daughter’s coursework portfolio.

Practical Production

As well as the smaller pieces, your daughter will be asked to plan, draft, script, storyboard and create apractical text of her choice in a small group.

This will be completed towards the end of Year 10 and the beginning of Year 11.

Controlled Test

The test, which will be taken in May 2014, will test your daughter’s synoptic knowledge of Media Studies.Examiners wish to ensure that no coursework is produced on the test topic so the topic is released whenthe course begins.

Your daughter’s Controlled Test will be on Computer Gaming. Preparation for this test will begin inDecember 2014.

Deadlines

Over the two year course the following deadlines will be in place:

Two pieces of coursework ontwo different types of mediaPiece 1Piece 2

December 2013February 2014

Practical Production February 2015

MUSIC GCSE

You will follow the AQA specification.

If you play an instrument or sing, it would be well worth developing your talent to GCSE level.Homework includes an allowance of time to practise and achieve the highest standards. The course alsoinvolves playing in groups which can be very rewarding.

The study of different musical styles (not just classical) will broaden your understanding andappreciation of music, and you will be encouraged to develop your own creative ideas too, by usingvarious instruments including synthesisers and keyboards. Opportunities will also be given to developand demonstrate understanding of the use of ICT in Music.

GCSE Music is an interesting and varied course of performing, listening and creativity and combines wellwith most other subjects. It will also introduce you to an enjoyable musical experience which you cancontinue exploring for the rest of your life, in whatever way you choose. It is assumed that girls followingthe course would belong to at least one of the many music enrichment activities on offer in school togain a wide experience of musical performance.

The subject is divided into three Areas of Study, which may be explored through performing, composingand listening and appraising activities.

The Areas of Study are:●The Western Classical Tradition

●Popular Music of the 20th and 21st centuries●World Music

●The examination comprises of four parts:

Title of unit Content Assessment %

Listening andAppraising Music

A listening and writtenpaper of 1 hour

Externally assessed byAQA as part of the final

examination in May

20%

Composing andAppraising Music

One compositioncomposed in 20 hoursand a written appraisal

written in two hours

Externally assessed byAQA

20%

Performing Music One solo and onegroup performance of

no more than fiveminutes each

ControlledAssessment.

(Internally assessedand moderated by

AQA)

40%

Composing Music One compositioncomposed in 25 hours

ControlledAssessment.

(Internally assessedand moderated by

AQA)

20%

PERFORMING ARTS SINGLE AWARD GCSE

Year 10 Unit 1: Skills developmentTo begin with students complete an initial skills audit form which highlights the kind of experience they have inany of the PA skills. Then time is spent on workshops and activities to strengthen and improve the skills they arenot so experienced in. After the initial introduction to the broad spectrum of skills, students can then select theskill they would like to specialise in.

Progression and participation is assessed by the class teacher and all of the practical work must be documentedinto a Portfolio which is an extremely important document. The portfolio will then be moderated by an examinerin June.

Assessment RequirementsThe portfolio should be treated as a practical working record of the student’s chosen performing arts discipline(drama/singing/dancing etc) which is constantly being updated. It will include:

· an indication of their initial skills level and the activities carried out to improve the skills· materials showing RESEARCH into the performing arts industry· THREE observations during the course about your working practice by suitably qualified people. They

could be done by people outside of school, a piano teacher for example.

They should provide evidence of the following:

· Skills development· Planning and research· Practical activities· Contextual understanding of work-related aspects· Evaluation of own and others’ work

This unit is worth 60% of the Single award GCSE.

Year 11 Unit 2: Showcase Performance

Students work together as a Professional Production Company (PPC) to put on a Showcase Performance inresponse to a brief that is set by AQA.

Assessment requirementsStudents will need to produce a response to the externally set brief. They must produce:

· the final piece of work, suitably presented· THREE observations of their working practices by people with whom they have worked· an evaluation of their contribution to planning, preparation and skills development, presented on one

side of A2, or two sides of A3, or four sides of A4.

Written Assessment criteria

· Skills development and professional conduct· Final performance/designs· Evaluation of own work

All of which goes into the Portfolio of Unit 1, ready for examination in June

The Showcase Performance Exam will take place sometime between February and May. The class teacher and theexaminer will watch the students perform in front of an audience and assess them. The showcase is worth 40%of the Single Award Performing Arts GCSE

PHYSICAL EDUCATION KS4 (Core)

● To gain maximum enjoyment from a chosen activity.

● To realise the importance of exercise and a healthy lifestyle i.e. health related fitness.

● To co-operate fully with others.

● To gain a real sense of fair play.

● To understand and recognise the different levels of performance within the group.

Objectives (i.e. at the end of KS4 all pupils will be able to)

● To be competent at a number of activities.

● To recognise the importance of exercise

● To recognise the importance of rules, etiquette and fair play.

● To work/play co-operatively with others and recognise different competencies of peers.

Pupils will have a sound knowledge of the various activities and will improve performance. They shoulddemonstrate appropriate, consistent and effective performance and understand and apply quiteadvanced techniques. They should evaluate accurately and make judgements using relevant technicalterms. They should show an understanding of the principles used to prepare and monitor a personalexercise programme for a healthy lifestyle. They should co-operate with others. They shoulddemonstrate how to prepare and recover from exercise.

In the one lesson for each of Y10 and Y11 pupils are given a certain amount of choice of activity. Theremay be up to five simultaneous activities in each lesson. There are two members of staff time-tabledand two areas i.e. the Sports Hall and Gymnasium.

Choices from:

•Netball/lacrosse •Table tennis

•Trampolining •Badminton

•Football •Volleyball

•Basketball •Tennis

•Rounder’s •Indoor athletics

•Aerobics/boxercise/yoga •Step aerobics

•Fitness room

PHYSICAL EDUCATION GCSE

There are two components for the Full Course GCSE Specification:

1. TERMINAL EXAMINATION - 40% UNIT 3: Knowledge and Understanding for the Active Participant

Including the following themes:- Leisure and recreation, diet, physical and mental demands of performance, health, fitness, training, school and Physical Education, cultural and social factors, international and social factors.

2. UNIT 4: Controlled Assessment (practical work) - 60% Students can choose to participate as a player/performer, organiser, leader/coach, choreographer or official. At least 2 assessments must be as a performer/player, and they must include activities from at least 2 of the following groups (ways of thinking):

● Gymnastic activities (including trampolining)● Athletic activities● Games● Swimming● Dance● Outdoor/adventurous activities (including Duke of Edinburgh Award

Bronze expedition)● Fitness and health activities

Physical Education is a nationally recognised science and especially useful forany student considering a career in teaching, sports development, sportsscience, leisure and tourism. A good level of practical performance isimportant (60% of award).It is expected that candidates have an existing aptitude, interest andinvolvement in PE enrichment activities and sport in and out of school.

GCSE RELIGIOUS STUDIES: PHILOSOPHY AND ETHICS

At GCSE, Religious Studies follows OCR’s Philosophy and Ethics Course. Philosophy, literally meaning alove of wisdom, is the study of seeking knowledge and wisdom in understanding the nature of theuniverse. Ethics relates to the study of moral judgment and what is right and wrong, good and bad. Itleads on from the work studied in Yr 9 on Ultimate Questions and Religion in the Media.

This is a highly topical and invigorating course that requires candidates to question modernphilosophical and ethical issues from the standpoint of the 6 Major World Faiths: Buddhism,Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism.

Students will cover a maximum of twelve topic areas over their two GCSE years. The topics are as follows:

Medical EthicsAbortion, euthanasia,

genetic engineering, IVF

Religion, Peace and Justice- Approaches to war andpeace. Is war ever right?

Religion in the Media -Looking at how religion is

portrayed in film, newspaper,books and on the news

Philosophy 1

1. Deity2. Religious Experience3. End of Life

Ethics 2

1. Peace and Justice2. Equality3. Religion and the Me-

Ethics 1

1. Relationships2. Medical Ethics3. Poverty and Wealth

Philosophy 2

1. Good and Evil2. Revelation3. Science and Religion

Nature of BeliefHow and where

believers worship

End of LifeDifferent theories on

what happenswhen we die

Religion, Poverty andWealth - How should weuse our money? Shouldwe care for the poor?

Religion and Equality -Racism, colour prejudice,

sexism, ageism

Revelation - how God isrevealed to believers

Good and Evil - Why isthere good and evil in the

world? Angels, heaven,the Devil and hell

Religion and HumanRelationships - marriage and

divorce, sex andcontraception

How is the course assessed?

Each candidate will sit 4x1hr module examinations at the end of Year 11.All questions on both examinations have a short answer question and then 4 mid-length questions to beanswered in an essay style. Candidates are asked to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding andanalysis of the areas covered. There is a large emphasis on the candidate’s own opinion and opinions ofothers as they are assessed on evidence, evaluation and argument.

During lessons your class teacher will assess you in lots of different ways: your contribution to classdiscussions, your commitment to the course and the standard of your GCSE practice answers.

THERE IS NO COURSEWORK ELEMENT TO THIS COURSE!

Additional Advice

ü Try to read through your notes after each lesson and if there is anything you don’t understand askyour teacher in your next lesson.

ü Learn ideas and quotes as you go along. It is easier to learn a little at a time rather than hugechunks before an exam.

ü Attempt to listen to the news or read the newspapers regularly so you are aware of what is goingon in the world around you.

ü If you miss a lesson, it is your responsibility to copy up notes that you have missed. Nothing is asgood as actually being in the lesson so try not to be absent!

ü Grades are important, but so is enjoyment! You will get out of it what you put in!

SCIENCE GCSE

● All girls will select to follow either two or three options of Science.● Those taking Science in two options should achieve the award of a Science A GCSE in Year 10 then

either an Additional Science GCSE or Additional Applied Science GCSE in Year 11.● Those taking Science in three options will achieve the award of Science A GCSE in Year 10 and

then GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics in Year 11.● The AQA specification is followed for all GCSEs in Science.

Biology, Chemistry & Physics (Separate Sciences)

Examinations

● All external examinations for each separate Science will take place in the Summer of Year 11 asthe courses are linear.

● Written examinations are in the form of a one hour examination containing structured andclosed questions. At least one question will assess the Quality of Written Communication in aScience context.

● To gain external examination practice, Science A Unit 1 examinations will take place during theSummer of Year 10 (dates of examinations found within “Science A” information). There is noextra content to be taught or learned for the completion of Science A as the content is part ofthe Separate Sciences.

Internal AssessmentControlled Assessment (ISA) for each Separate Science will take place during Year 11 and will beconducted over a period of about 6 hours. This is split into a number of sections outlined below.

Date Title

Throughout Course End of unit tests (exam preparation with verbal/written feed-back)

At the end of each Unit 1/2/3 Mock Examination to confirm tiers of entry

Spring Term of Year 11 Internal Controlled Assessment (Three ISAs)

Summer Term of Year 11(May/June 2015)

External Examination Biology 1 H/F

External Examination Chemistry 1 H/F

External Examination Physics 1 H/F

External Examination Biology 2 H/F

External Examination Chemistry 2 H/F

External Examination Physics 2 H/F

External Examination Biology 3 H/F

External Examination Chemistry 3 H/F

External Examination Physics 3 H/F

● Introduction, Planning and Research (Candidates allowed to produce an A4 side of paper that they cantake into all further sections of the controlled assessment) Limited Control - 2 hours

● Reporting on Planning and Research (Includes producing table for recording results and answering ISAsection 1) High Control -1 hour

● Practical /Collecting Evidence: Limited Control - 1 hour● Processing the Primary Data – producing an appropriate graph or bar chart of the results: High Control -

1 hour● Analysing the results; Part 2 of the ISA: High control - 1 hour

Science A

● Science A covers the same first unit as in the Biology, Chemistry and Physics Specifications.● A co-ordinated approach is taken, with pupils taught by subject specialists in the three areas of

Biology, Chemistry and Physics.● The first unit for each Science will be examined in the form of a one hour examination containing

structured and closed questions. At least one question will assess the Quality of WrittenCommunication in a Science context.

Examinations

Internal AssessmentOne controlled assessment will be submitted in Year 10 to obtain Science A GCSE. This can be a Biology,Physics or Chemistry ISA chosen by the Curriculum Leader of Science.

Controlled Assessment (ISA) will be conducted over a period of about 6 hours. This is split into a numberof sections outlined below.

● Introduction, Planning and Research (Candidates allowed to produce an A4 side of paper thatthey can take into all further sections of the controlled assessment) Limited Control - 2 hours

● Reporting on Planning and Research (Includes producing table for recording results andanswering ISA section 1) High Control -1 hour

● Practical/Collecting Evidence: Limited Control - 1 hour● Processing the Primary Data - producing an appropriate graph or bar chart of the results: High

Control - 1 hour● Analysing the results; Part 2 of the ISA: High Control - 1 hour

Date Title (and percentage weighting of the overall grade)

September 2013-2014 End of unit tests (exam preparation with verbal/written feed-back)

Spring Term 2014 Internal ‘Mock’ Examinations (decide Tier of Entry)

Spring Term 2014 Controlled Assessment (One ISA, 25%)

Friday 6th June 2014 External Examination Biology 1 H/F (25%)

Tuesday 10th June 2014 External Examination Chemistry 1 H/F (25%)

Thursday 12th June 2014 External Examination Physics 1 H/F (25%)

Additional Science

● Additional Science covers the same second unit as in the Biology, Chemistry and Physics Specifications.● A co-ordinated approach is taken, with pupils taught by subject specialists in the three areas of

Biology, Chemistry and Physics● The second unit for each Science will be examined in the form of a written paper lasting one hour.

Questions will be structured and close, with at least one question assessing the Quality of WrittenCommunication in a Science context.

Examinations

Internal AssessmentOne controlled assessment will be submitted in year 11 to obtain Additional Science GCSE. This can be aBiology, Physics or Chemistry ISA chosen by the Curriculum Leader of Science.

Controlled Assessment (ISA) will be conducted over a period of about 6 hours. This is split into a number ofsections outlined below:

● Introduction, Planning and Research (Candidates allowed to produce an A4 side of paper that theycan take into all further sections of the controlled assessment) Limited Control - 2 hours

● Reporting on Planning and Research (Includes producing a able for recording results and answeringISA section 1) High Control - 1 hour

● Practical/Collecting Evidence: Limited Control - 1 hour● Processing the Primary Data - producing an appropriate graph or bar chart of the results: High

Control - 1 hour● Analysing the results; Part 2 of the ISA: High Control - 1 hour

Additional Applied Science

● Is a vocational GCSE, which has a higher percentage weighting of the overall grade due to courseworkcompletion (60%)

● Time will be devoted to coursework completion during lessons and Enrichment and students will alsobe expected to work on some sections in their own time. Internal deadlines must be met in order forpupils to gain as much feedback as possible for improvement. Good attendance is essential to do wellin this course.

● A co-ordinated approach is taken, with pupils taught by subject specialists in the three areas ofBiology, Chemistry and Physics.

● The written examination is for one hour and will contain structured and closed questions, with atleast one question assessing the Quality of Written Communication in a Science context.

Date Title (and percentage weighting of the overall grade)

Throughout Course Completion of Coursework

Spring Term of Year 11 Internal Controlled Assessment (One ISA, 25%)

Summer of Year 11 (May/June 2015) Biology Unit 2 Written examination (25%)

Chemistry Unit 2 Written examination (25%)

Physics Unit 2 Written examination (25%)

Date Title (and percentage weighting of the overall grade)

Autumn Term of Year 11 Development of Portfolio as evidence for Unit 2

Throughout Course End-of-Topic Assessments with verbal/written feedback

Spring Term of Year 11 Mock Examination of Unit 1 to confirm tiers of entry

May of Year 11 Final draft of coursework is sent to examination board (60%)

Summer of Year 11 Unit 1 Written Examination (40%)

GCSE SOCIOLOGY

What is Sociology?Sociology is about the study of social life, social groups and societies. It involvesstudying a wide variety of topics such as the family, education, poverty,religion, crime and deviance, mass media, health and illness, poverty,inequality, social policy and politics…For the GCSE in Sociology (AQA specification) you are required to study 2 units:

● Unit 1 Studying Society; Education; Families

● Unit 2 Crime and Deviance; Mass Media; Power; Social Inequality

Unit 1 Studying Society; Education; FamiliesStudying Society - you will learn about what Sociology is all about and how sociologists do their research.In particular, you will learn about the different explanations that exist within Sociology and differentmethods that sociologists use to study people, social issues and society.

Families – you will study ‘the family’ in contemporary society. In particular, you will explore the way inwhich the family has changed over time and the different types of families that exist in our society todaye.g. nuclear families, lone-parent families and reconstituted families.

You will study the patterns of marriage and divorce and explore some of the reasons for the increase indivorce in contemporary society and the consequences of this for children and family members – today,almost one in two marriages end in divorce.

You will also learn about the different roles and relationships within the family and in particular, you willstudy relationships between men and women… who does the housework and why! You will study howrelationships between men and women have changed over time and investigate whether the ‘new man’really exists. In addition, you will learn about problems in the family such as domestic violence.

Education - during this part of the unit, you will learn all about the education system in Britain. You willlearn about the different types of schools that exist and the political and sociological debatessurrounding provision and policy in relation to education. You will also learn about the differences ineducational achievement e.g. between boys and girls, children from different social classes and childrenfrom different ethnic minority backgrounds.

Unit 2 Crime and Deviance; Mass Media; Power; Social Inequality

Crime and Deviance – this involves studying crime and deviance in our society. In particular, it involvesinvestigating statistics on crime and learning about the different types of crimes that people commit andthe patterns of crime in relation to social and economic factors such as social class, gender and ethnicity.It also involves learning about the criminal justice system and different sociological explanations relatingto crime, deviance and punishment.

Mass Media – this involves studying the different types of media that exist in our society today includingnewspapers, magazines, television and the internet etc. It also involves studying power and controlwithin the media and exploring debates about the impact that the media has on the lives and behaviourof people in our society e.g. can images of ‘super-skinny’ models in the media influence adolescent girlsto develop conditions such as anorexia nervosa … or can exposure to violence in the media encourageaggressive behaviour in people?

Social Inequality – this involves studying the different types of inequality that exist in our society. Inparticular, it involves studying inequalities in relation to wealth, income, status and power. You willstudy important issues such as poverty, unemployment and homelessness and you will learn about howpeople’s life chances are influenced by factors such as social class, gender and ethnicity.

Power and Politics – this involves studying the political system in Britain including: thegovernment, voting behaviour and social policy. It also involves exploring different politicalviews and debates about how we should deal with social and welfare issues in societytoday.

Assessment

Assessment for the GCSE will be based on two written examination papers:● Unit 1 Studying Society; Education; Families (1h, 30m)● Unit 2 Crime and Deviance; Mass Media; Power; Social Inequality (1h,

30m)

For Unit 1, you are required to answer a series of compulsory questions covering all three topic areas.For Unit 2, you are able to choose three topics from four topic options. You are required to answer allquestions on your chosen topics.

TEXTILES TECHNOLOGY GCSE

Welcome to the AQA Textiles Technology Course at The Belvedere Academy!

Why take Textiles Technology?Students who opt for Textiles Technology at GCSE level should be keen to design and makecreative and unique pieces of textile work. Textiles is a very exciting and demanding subject thatis concerned with developing pupils’ confidence to tackle a variety of issues, includingtechnological advances in textiles as well as building up traditional skills, knowledge andunderstanding.You will be guided through designing and making activities using textiles and will be given theopportunity to follow either a fashion and accessories route or an interior design route.Although there will be more written theory than you met at KS3 (Y7-Y9) it will be related tofamiliar products.

The subject involves…

* Being creative and understanding how designers get inspiration for design ideas.

* Understanding the issues that influence textile design and marketing.

* Investigating many various methods to colour, decorate and stitch textile products.

* Be aware of the various sides to textile design i.e. interior design, fashion design etc.

*Knowing about the use of computers in designing and making.

*Testing, developing and evaluating ideas.

* Being aware of how textile products are manufactured.

*Learning about fibres, fabrics and components.

*The majority of textile lessons will involve practical work, to explore exciting new textiletechniques.

* Learning how to do fashion drawings by hand and on the computer.

* Learn how to construct garments.

And lots more………..!!!

ASSESSMENT

The GCSE grade will be awarded as a result of completing two units of work:

Unit 1- Written paper (2 hours, 40% of total).Section A - You will be asked to design a textile product based upon a pre-release sheet given tostudents to ask them to research the design question context.Section B- These questions will be based on subject knowledge and understanding.

Unit 2- Design and making practice (45 hours in class time, 60% of total),You will be required to select a design brief from a list of Controlled Assessment Tasks. A concisedesign folder (approx 20 A3 sheets) and a made piece will be completed in the classroom.

FUTURE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN TEXTILES TECHNOLOGY

Textiles can be studied at any level from school all the way through to university.Taking Textiles01.0 Technology can lead to a wide variety of exciting and well-paid careeropportunities in the fashion, design and textiles industries and education services. For exampleTextile or Fashion Designer, Trend Forecaster, Fashion Merchandiser, Pattern Maker or Grader,Fashion Stylist, Fashion Editor, Fashion Illustrator, Fashion Photographer, Costume Designer (forTV and theatre), Personal Stylist and Interior Designer. (Textiles Technology, Nelson Thornes,2009)